Newsletter May 08

I have always kept up with drawing and painting as a hobby. It is certainly not my most exceptional skill but I find it really restful and rewarding. It has given me a great appreciation of other people’s more superior talents. The RCA is located right next door to the Albert Hall in London so I was on familiar territory. I felt rather privileged to enter this prestigious British sanctum of the most precocious artistic talent, albeit as a guest.

I was met outside the building by a cluster of the other judges – Geoff Willis, Graphic Design Tutor on Communication Art and Design, Len Massey, Head of Drawing with his long grey hair tied neatly back in a hippy knot, assisted by the artist and fellow Buddhist, Xavier Pick. We all made our way excitedly up to the Drawing Studio to start looking through the entries. The studio has a fabulously life expanding view over Hyde Park and further out across London.

We discussed the criteria by which we would assess the work and decided we would all agree that it was ‘gorgeous’. And what an amazing time I had. It was stunning. By lunchtime Geoff and I had established various mutual artistic contacts and Len had completely opened my eyes and mind as to what exactly constitutes a ‘drawing’. Some of the work was so beautiful all I could do was gasp ‘Oh!’, or ‘Ah!’ "I’ll take that as a ‘yes’ then?" Len would say.

Over lunch I met Lara Lopez from the Development Department and an exceedingly charming man called Ash Wyndham, Trustee of the Man Group who was sponsoring the Drawing Prize. I was so taken by him I invited him to my next Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism meeting. I hope he comes. The walls of the dining room and seating areas are plastered with art works by previous students. It was nigh on impossible to concentrate on my food with a whole wall of David Hockney’s staring back at me and a Henry Moore peering over my shoulder. We talked about art’s role in changing society, the effect of the Information and Technology Age on the classic and popular arts, and the mutual inspiration to be gained by cross fertilizing different art forms. Simple kitchen table chit chat…

Later that afternoon as we had filtered the entries down to the favorites and were ready to select the winner and the runners up, I had a phone call telling me to get a move on as I was late for the theatre. Time really does fly when you are having fun. Meanwhile favourite best husband in the world, Tony, was busy taking his instrument rating aviation exams which he achieved with flying colours. Well done Biggles!

Having completed my task, Xavier tucked me into a taxi and I sped across town to Theatreland and met some work colleagues from the clinic. Our tickets were for ‘Jersey Boys’ a musical about the Four Seasons. If you have never heard of them or their music you really must google them now. Theirs were the kind of records that first turned me on to pop music in the early Sixties. Now recreated on stage, when they broke into ‘Sherry Baby’ I thought my heart would burst with happiness. I sang along with all the songs and bought the album in the interval. I have been playing it regularly as a pick-me-up ever since. It was a really brilliant show, so many fantastic songs. We walked all the way home from the West End singing.

I had the most beautiful dreams, rich with the images from the RCA accompanied by the soundtrack of the Four Seasons.

Next day I was due back in Dagenham, Essex to be the guest of honour at the Sixth Form prize giving at my old school, Robert Clack. This year, for the first time I was giving my own prize to a student; The Sandie Shaw Community Award. The enthusiasm these young people have for their school has to be seen to be believed. The sincerity of the Headmaster, Paul Grant, David Moody Head of Sixth Form, and that of their pupils and parents is so genuine. It is completely heart stopping. You come away with the feeling that you want to be part of their inspired movement for a great education to be available to all kids. The recipient of my award was Olivia Maxwell. I gave a speech about her and what I understood to be the purpose of education, global citizenship, and the rules of success in life and how she had lived up to these ideals while at Robert Clack. There were floods of tears. I think she liked it! Next year Olivia returns to Jamaica for further studies and to pursue her chosen career as a journalist. I hope she keeps in touch with her progress. Later I spoke to Olivia’s grandfather who was so very proud of her. He should be. She and all the other students achieved so much during their time at Robert Clack: "Forever Clackers!"

While I am on the subject of winners, achievement and success, here is a big CONGRATULATIONS to Nik Powell, my favorite ex-husband, who completed the London Marathon, and raised £20,000 from his sponsors for the National Society for Epilepsy. Well done, Nik. You are our hero!

The Man Group Drawing Prize winner was:

First prize: Page Tsou, C A and D 1st year
Joint second prize: Aline Helmcke, Animation 2nd year
Joint second prize: Mohammed Namazi, C A and D 1st year
Joint third prize: Shireen Batiwala, Textiles 2nd year
Joint third prize: Aithan Shapira, Printmaking 2nd year
Joint Third prize: James Toal, Ceramics and glass, 1st year
It was a real pleasure and honor to have the opportunity to look at your work. Thank you.

“Sheh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-ree-ee bay-yay-bee, Sherry baby
She-eh-ree wont you come out tonight?”